Tail lamps, otherwise known as rear lights, are found on the rear end of a vehicle and are designed as a safety feature, allowing other drivers to see you on the road during the darker hours. They’re multifunctional and can often act as a brake, reverse, indicator, and fog signals – making them extremely useful and important. In fact, in many places, it’s illegal to drive if your tail lamps aren’t in full working order. Today we’re looking at eight considerations to remember before replacing your own tail lamp.
Table of Contents
Light design
When shopping around for your new tail light, there are two main types of lighting you’ll most likely find – halogen and LEDs. Halogen lights use bulbs to produce light, and these may need to be replaced every so often should they blow or stop working. LED tail lights come with LED panels as a single unit, meaning you don’t need to buy any extra pieces. Most people prefer LEDs thanks to the convenience that comes with them, but make sure you check that your car is compatible with either light design before buying.
Lens colour
Tail lights can come in different colours. Most commonly seen is soft or bright white, but some manufacturers also offer funkier colours if you’d prefer. Firstly, check out the laws in your area about car lights and their colours to make sure it’s legal to have different coloured bulbs fitted to your vehicle. Secondly, choose whether you want to stick to the classic white lights or go for something more out there.
Certain lights on the rear of your car must be a specific colour. For example, the parking brake must be red and indicators must be amber.
Fitment and body type
Every car is different, and most tail lights will have a unique shape depending on the car. As the tail light needs to fit flush with your car’s bodywork, it’s important to find one designed with the specific make and model in mind. In this case, genuine spare parts are your best bet, as copies might not have the exact specifications to create a perfect fit.
Fitting position
On the back of your car, you’ll most likely have two tail lights – one on the driver’s side and one on the passenger’s side. These will likely differ in configuration, so if you only need one replacement, make sure you buy one for the correct side. For example, a left-hand tail light will probably not fit on the right side, so you’ll have to waste time buying the correct part.
Indicator colour
Indicators must omit an amber colour, and this can be achieved in one of two ways. Either the setup as an amber bulb sat behind a clear plastic casing or a white bulb behind an amber plastic casing. You’ll need to know what kind of indicator setup your car has to make sure you choose the right option when replacing it.
Number of light functions
Tail lights often come with multiple functions, including an indicator light, stop light, parking brake, and more. Most have four light functions, but others may have more or less. Check how many light functions your car needs from the tail light before replacing it to make sure your car will still be safe to drive once fitted.
Date limitation
Car manufacturers often change up the design of their vehicles every so often, whether that be larger or smaller modifications. So, you need to cross-check the date of your car’s manufacturing, along with the tail light. For example, you could find a tail light designed for the same make and model as your 2015 car, but the light was produced in 2011. If there were any design updates during this time, it’s possible that the light won’t fit anymore.
Position of the lamp
Some tail lamps have a light on the inner side, nearer the boot lid, while others have one on the outer edge. Your car may require the lamp to be in a certain position, so check this beforehand to make sure you choose the right option.
Buy high-quality spare tail lights today
Buying spare car parts from a reputable supplier is essential when keeping your car safe on the roads. The last thing you want to do is buy a tail light from an unreliable source, risking it failing halfway through a drive and putting you and others in danger. If you’re looking for a retailer who won’t let you down, check out this selection of tail lamp replacements. Here, you’ll find genuine and aftermarket tail lamps for a range of makes and models, as well as useful information on how to fit your new part properly.
